It is surely time for some reaction from the ‘traditional’ and conventional view of the period. […] But the theme, I firmly believe, is of some importance. […] Caesar made a rapid decision he would be consul, and to some purpose. […] Many of Caesar’s partisans were frank adventurers, avid for gain and advancement, some for revolution. […] In the colonies of Calatia and Casilinum Octavianus raised quickly some three thousand veterans.